Are You Endulled? Is Your Organization?

Posted July 14th, 2010

Endullment is a term coined by Ira Shor to describe what happens to people when they are not allowed to participate in decisions that affect them. Shor applied the term to educational organizations, but it fits other organizations. Are you endulled? In the book Managing in a Team Environment John R. Dew says endullment leads to “low motivation, poor attendance, refusal to cooperate to improve the system, and learned apathy.” Those don’t sound like aspirational qualities.  Students may skip school, but employees might be present in body but absent in mind and spirit.

How would I know a person is endulled?  Some signs might include:

• Saying “it is what it is.”
• Waiting on lunch time and quitting time.
• Does just enough to avoid getting in trouble.
• Does not participate in conversations or provides minimal input.
• Not involved unless required to be.
• Dreads everything about the job.
• Cynical, sarcastic, passive-aggressive.
• Waits to be told what to do to avoid any criticism.

What’s the opposite of endullment?  Dr. Dew says it is empowerment. I say it is engagement.  An engaged employee has a sense of autonomy, purpose, and opportunities to make positive contributions.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at 12:56 pm and is filed under Human Factors, Leadership.